Between Convents and Gardens of Sant’Elena – Sunday 4th October 2009

Meeting point at the Hotel Sant’Elena of Venice for the tour “Between Convents and Gardens of Sant’Elena” escorted by the architect Mrs Gabriella Bondi part of the Wigwam Club Giardini Storici di Venezia.

Departure will be the grassy court of the formal monastic complex of Mantellate, built in the thirties which today hosts the elegant Hotel Sant’Elena.

A sophisticated aperitif, arranged by The Chef Giovanni Montella, will be served between the splash of roses’ colors and officinal herbs.

An introduction to the History of this marvelous part of Venice still not assaulted by tourists, will be offered on the spot.

A guided walk will take us to the near Sant’Elena island, located at the oriental extremity of Venice, where we will visit orts, fifteenth-centurykiosk and the Church of the Convent complex dedicated to the mother of Emperor Costantino.

For centuries a thriving cultural and artistic center with very well furnished library of the venetian lagoon, its origin are very ancient and date back to XI Century.

We’ll walk through the recent area born from drainages Vittorio Emanuele III, crossed by rows of big linden trees of the Viale IV Novembre and the breezy pine wood facing the Basin of San Marco reachable crossing a bridge from the Gardens of the Biennale.

If you’re considering a hotel in Venice, whether for a long or short vacation, with or without your family and kids, or for a business meeting, the BEST WESTERN PREMIER Hotel Sant’Elena is the ideal location for an unforgettable stay in the heart of the lagoon city.

Venice is connected to the mainland by a railway and highway bridge named Ponte della Liberta’ (Freedom Bridge), and is built on more than a 100 islands sitting in the middle of the lagoon, a reflecting pool offering breathtaking views at sunsets but also a maze of shoals and channels that over the years acted as a natural barrier against foreign invasions, allowing the city to become a chest of invaluable artistic treasures.